JP2010232081A - Light distribution control system of headlight for vehicle, and headlight for the vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light distribution control system for vehicle which prevents or reduces dazzle light with respect to a preceding car and an oncoming car. <P>SOLUTION: The light distribution control system for vehicle controls a direction of radiation by a sensor for detecting information related to a car existing in the direction of radiation; a calculation means which calculates positions and distances of a preceding car and an oncoming car, based on detection data from the sensor; and a control means which calculates respective target rotation angles of a left rotary shutter and a right rotary shutter, based on the calculated positions and distances of the preceding car and the oncoming car to control a left motor and a right motor so as to rotate by the calculated target rotation angles. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle light distribution control system, and more particularly to a vehicle light distribution control system capable of preventing or reducing dazzling light with respect to a preceding vehicle and an oncoming vehicle.

  Conventionally, a headlamp capable of changing the cut-off line formation position has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the headlamp described in Patent Document 1.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the headlamp 200 described in Patent Document 1 is arranged between a projection lens 210, an illumination optical system 220 including a light source 221 and a reflector 222, and between the projection lens 210 and the illumination optical system 220. A cylindrical shutter 230 including a diameter portion 231 and a small diameter portion 232, a motor 240 for rotating the cylindrical shutter 230 around the eccentric shaft 233, and the like are provided.

  In the headlamp 200 described in Patent Document 1, the cylindrical shutter 230 rotates around the eccentric shaft 233 and the upper edge moves up and down, so that the cut-off line is located at a position corresponding to the rotational angle position of the cylindrical shutter 230. (Indicated by CL1 to CL3 in FIG. 14) will be formed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-50102

  However, in the headlamp 200 described in Patent Document 1, since it is a configuration in which the formation position is simply moved up and down while maintaining the cut-off line shape, depending on the positional relationship between the preceding vehicle and the oncoming vehicle with respect to the own vehicle, There is a problem that the dazzling light on the preceding vehicle and the oncoming vehicle cannot be prevented.

  This invention is made in view of such a situation, and it aims at providing the vehicle light distribution control system which can prevent or reduce the dazzling light with respect to the preceding vehicle with respect to the own vehicle, and an oncoming vehicle. To do.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention described in claim 1 includes a substantially cylindrical left rotation shutter and a left motor that rotates the left rotation shutter around a central axis of the left rotation shutter, and the left rotation. A left lamp that forms a light distribution pattern having a cut-off line defined by the shape of the upper edge according to the rotational angle position of the shutter, a substantially cylindrical right rotating shutter, and the right rotating shutter is the central axis of the right rotating shutter. A right motor that rotates around, a right lamp that forms a light distribution pattern having a cut-off line defined by an upper edge shape corresponding to a rotational angle position of the right rotating shutter, and each of the left lamp and the right lamp Based on a sensor for detecting information on a vehicle existing in the irradiation direction, and detection data from the sensor A calculation means for calculating the position and distance of the preceding vehicle and the oncoming vehicle, and calculating a target rotation angle of each of the left rotation shutter and the right rotation shutter based on the calculated position and distance of the preceding vehicle and the oncoming vehicle, Control means for controlling the left motor and the right motor so as to rotate the calculated target rotation angle, and the left rotation shutter is coaxial with the first shutter unit and the first shutter unit. A second shutter unit having a smaller diameter than one shutter unit, and the right-hand rotating shutter includes a third shutter unit and a fourth shutter unit coaxial with the third shutter unit and smaller in diameter than the third shutter unit. Each of the second shutter portion and the third shutter portion has an upper end edge shape and a plurality of upper end edge shapes respectively corresponding to a plurality of predetermined rotation angle positions. Characterized in that it contains a twisted surface formed by sintering.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, each of the left rotation shutter and the right rotation shutter has an upper edge shape corresponding to each of a plurality of rotation angle positions, and thus has an upper edge shape corresponding to the rotation angle position. (In other words, the shape of the upper edge changes according to the rotation angle position). Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the left lamp and the right lamp can form a cut-off line defined by the upper edge shape according to the rotation angle positions of the left shutter and the right shutter. (That is, the shape of the cut-off line changes according to the rotation angle position).

  Further, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the left-side rotation shutter and the right-side rotation shutter are controlled to rotate independently from each other according to the position and distance of the preceding vehicle and the oncoming vehicle. It is possible to form a light distribution pattern that avoids the above. Thereby, according to invention of Claim 1, it becomes possible to prevent the dazzling light with respect to a preceding vehicle and an oncoming vehicle, or to reduce compared with the past.

  In addition, according to the first aspect of the present invention, each of the left-side rotary shutter and the right-side rotary shutter includes a twisted surface formed by connecting a plurality of upper end edge shapes. When the shutter rotates from a specific rotation angle position to another rotation angle position, the shape of the upper edge becomes continuously and smoothly changed. Thus, according to the first aspect of the invention, the shape of the cut-off line defined by the upper edge shape is smoothly changed not in a digital manner (discontinuously) but in an analog manner (continuously). It becomes possible.

  The invention according to claim 2 includes a substantially cylindrical left rotation shutter, and a left motor that rotates the left rotation shutter around a central axis of the left rotation shutter, and corresponds to a rotation angle position of the left rotation shutter. A left lamp that forms a light distribution pattern having a cutoff line defined by the shape of the upper edge, a substantially cylindrical right rotating shutter, and a right motor that rotates the right rotating shutter about the central axis of the right rotating shutter; A right lamp that forms a light distribution pattern having a cut-off line defined by an upper edge shape corresponding to a rotational angle position of the right-side rotary shutter, and a vehicle that exists in the irradiation direction of each of the left lamp and the right lamp A sensor for detecting information, and a position of a preceding vehicle, an oncoming vehicle based on detection data from the sensor, Based on the calculation means for calculating separation and the calculated positions of the preceding vehicle and the oncoming vehicle, the target rotation angle of each of the left rotation shutter and the right rotation shutter is calculated, and the calculated target rotation angle is rotated. Control means for controlling the left motor and the right motor as described above, and the left rotating shutter has a first shutter portion, a first shaft coaxial with the first shutter portion and having the same diameter as the first shutter portion. The right rotation shutter includes a third shutter portion and a fourth shutter portion coaxial with the third shutter portion and having the same diameter as the third shutter portion. Each of the second shutter portion and the third shutter portion has a rib extending from one end portion to the other end portion along the central axis on the outer peripheral surface, and an upper edge shape corresponding to each of a plurality of predetermined rotation angle positions, Characterized in that it comprises twisting surface is formed by connecting the plurality of upper edge shape, a.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, each of the left rotation shutter and the right rotation shutter has an upper edge shape corresponding to each of a plurality of rotation angle positions, and thus has an upper edge shape corresponding to the rotation angle position. (In other words, the shape of the upper edge changes according to the rotation angle position). Therefore, according to the second aspect of the invention, the left lamp and the right lamp can form a cut-off line defined by the upper edge shape according to the rotation angle positions of the left shutter and the right shutter. (That is, the shape of the cut-off line changes according to the rotation angle position).

  Further, according to the invention described in claim 2, since the left rotation shutter and the right rotation shutter are controlled to rotate independently in accordance with the position and distance of the preceding vehicle and the oncoming vehicle, the preceding vehicle and the oncoming vehicle are controlled. It is possible to form a light distribution pattern that avoids the above. Thereby, according to invention of Claim 2, it becomes possible to prevent the dazzling light with respect to a preceding vehicle and an oncoming vehicle, or to reduce compared with the past.

  In addition, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the left rotation shutter and the right rotation shutter each include a twisted surface formed by connecting a plurality of upper end edge shapes. When the shutter rotates from a specific rotation angle position to another rotation angle position, the shape of the upper edge becomes continuously and smoothly changed. Thus, according to the second aspect of the invention, the shape of the cut-off line defined by the upper edge shape is smoothly changed not in a digital manner (discontinuously) but in an analog manner (continuously). It becomes possible.

  The invention according to claim 3 is a substantially cylindrical rotary shutter including an upper end edge shape corresponding to each of a plurality of predetermined rotation angle positions and a twisted surface formed by connecting the plurality of upper end edge shapes. Irradiating optics for forming a light distribution pattern having a cut-off line defined by an upper end edge shape corresponding to a rotation angle position of the rotary shutter and a motor that rotates the rotary shutter around the central axis of the rotary shutter And a system.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, since the rotary shutter has the upper edge shape corresponding to each of the plurality of rotation angle positions, the rotation shutter has an upper edge shape corresponding to the rotation angle position (that is, at the rotation angle position). The top edge shape changes accordingly). Therefore, according to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to form a cut-off line defined by the upper edge shape corresponding to the rotation angle position of the rotary shutter (that is, the cut-off line according to the rotation angle position). Changes shape).

  Furthermore, according to the third aspect of the present invention, if the rotation shutter is controlled to rotate according to the position and distance of the preceding vehicle and the oncoming vehicle, a light distribution pattern that avoids the preceding vehicle and the oncoming vehicle is formed. It becomes possible. Thereby, according to the invention of Claim 3, it becomes possible to prevent or reduce the dazzling light with respect to a preceding vehicle and an oncoming vehicle compared with the past.

  In addition, according to the third aspect of the present invention, since the rotary shutter includes a twisted surface formed by connecting a plurality of upper end edge shapes, the rotary shutter rotates from the specific rotation angle position to another rotation. When rotating to the angular position, the shape of the upper edge continuously changes smoothly. Thus, according to the third aspect of the invention, the shape of the cut-off line defined by the upper edge shape is smoothly changed not in a digital manner (discontinuously) but in an analog manner (continuously). It becomes possible.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it is possible to provide the vehicle light distribution control system which can prevent or reduce the dazzling light with respect to the preceding vehicle and the oncoming vehicle, and the vehicle lamp that can be used in the system. It becomes.

It is a figure for demonstrating the whole structure of the vehicle light distribution control system 100 which is embodiment of this invention. (A)-(c) It is a perspective view of the left rotation shutter 13. FIG. (A)-(e) The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the left lamp | ramp 10, (f)-(j) The front view of the left lamp | ramp 10. FIG. (A)-(e) It is a figure for demonstrating the cut-off line (and light distribution pattern which has the said cut-off line) formed with the left side lamp | ramp 10. FIG. (A)-(e) It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the right lamp 20, (f)-(j) It is a front view of the right lamp 20. FIG. (A)-(e) It is a figure for demonstrating the cut-off line (and light distribution pattern which has the said cut-off line) formed with the right side lamp 20. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the vehicle light distribution control system 100 which is embodiment of this invention. (A)-(g) It is a figure for demonstrating the light distribution pattern formed on the road by the left lamp | ramp 10 and the right lamp | ramp 20. FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view for explaining a modified example of the left lamp 10. FIG. 6 is a perspective view for explaining a modified example of the left lamp 10. It is the graph which showed the relationship between the distance to a preceding vehicle, and a rotation angle position (shutter angle). It is the graph which showed the relationship between the distance to an oncoming vehicle, and a rotation angle distance (shutter angle). It is a perspective view for demonstrating the conventional vehicle headlamp. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the cut-off line (and light distribution pattern which has the said cut-off line) formed with the conventional vehicle headlamp.

  Hereinafter, a vehicle light distribution control system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  A vehicle light distribution control system 100 according to this embodiment is applied to a headlamp of a vehicle such as an automobile, and as shown in FIG. 1, a left lamp 10, a right lamp 20, a sensor 30, a detection ECU 40, a rotation A shutter control ECU 50 and the like are provided. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, “right side” refers to the right side in the traveling direction of the vehicle, and “left side” refers to the left side in the traveling direction of the vehicle.

[Left lamp 10]
The left lamp 10 is for forming a light distribution pattern having a cut-off line defined by the shape of the upper edge according to the rotational angle position of the left rotary shutter 13, as shown in FIG. It includes a projection lens 11, an irradiation optical system 12 including a light source 12a, a reflector 12b, and the like, a left rotating shutter 13 disposed between the projection lens 11 and the irradiation optical system 12, a left motor 14, and the like.

  The projection lens 11 is a lens through which the irradiation light from the irradiation optical system 12 is transmitted, and is arranged so that the optical axis AX extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. The light source 12a is, for example, a bulb such as an incandescent bulb or a halogen lamp, an HID lamp, or an LED light source. The reflector 12b includes, for example, a spheroid reflection surface in which the first focal point is set in the vicinity of the light source 12a and the second focal point is set in the vicinity of the stepped portion Z of the left rotation shutter 13 positioned at the reference rotation position. .

  The left-side rotary shutter 13 has a substantially cylindrical shape for blocking a part of the irradiation light from the irradiation optical system 12 and forming a cut-off line defined by the upper edge shape according to the rotation angle position of the left-side rotary shutter 13. It is a light shielding member. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 (f), etc., the left-side rotating shutter 13 has a large-diameter shutter portion 13a (radius R1, corresponding to the first shutter portion of the present invention), coaxial with the large-diameter shutter portion 13a, and It includes a small-diameter shutter portion 13b (radius R2, R1> R2, corresponding to the second shutter portion of the present invention) having a smaller diameter than the large-diameter shutter portion 13a.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (f), the left rotation shutter 13 has a posture in which the central axis of the left rotation shutter 13 is included in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis AX and extends in the horizontal direction. In addition, the upper stepped portion Z between the large-diameter shutter portion 13 a and the small-diameter shutter portion 13 b is disposed between the projection lens 11 and the irradiation optical system 12 so as to be positioned in the vicinity of the focal point of the projection lens 11. In the case of left-hand traffic, the left-side rotary shutter 13 is arranged so that the large-diameter shutter portion 13a is located on the left side in front view with respect to the optical axis AX, and the small-diameter shutter portion 13b is located on the right side in front view with respect to the optical axis AX. (Refer FIG.3 (f)). On the other hand, in the case of right-hand traffic, the left rotary shutter 13 is positioned so that the large-diameter shutter portion 13a is located on the right side of the optical axis AX when viewed from the front and the small-diameter shutter portion 13b is located on the left side of the optical axis AX when viewed from the front. Deploy.

  The left rotation shutter 13 is composed of a plane that is orthogonal to the end portion 13a2 (center axis) of the large-diameter shutter portion 13a, a plane that is orthogonal to the end portion 13b2 (center axis) of the small-diameter shutter portion 13b, and a plane that includes the optical axis AX. It is formed in a notched shape (hereinafter referred to as a notch portion 13c). Hereinafter, the angle position (FIG. 3C) rotated clockwise by 240 ° from the angle position (see FIGS. 3E and 3J) where the bottom surface 13c1 of the notch 13c appears at the upper edge of the left rotation shutter 13 in front view. 3 (a) and FIG. 3 (f)) is defined as a reference angular position. If the reference angle position is in the range of 225 ° to 250 ° when the position of FIG. 3E is 0 °, the light shielding amount of the passing beam is satisfied.

  As shown in FIGS. 3F to 3J, the small-diameter shutter portion 13b has a plurality of predetermined rotation angle positions (in this embodiment, 0 °, 240 °, 45 °, 90 °, 135 °). ) Corresponding upper edge shapes (starting edge ES, ending edge EE, a plurality of intermediate edges E1 to E3 between starting edge ES and ending edge EE) and a plurality of upper edge shapes ES, EE, E1 to E3 The twisted surface N (refer FIG. 2) formed by connecting these using predetermined software, such as CAD, is included.

  The starting edge ES is a horizontal line passing through the optical axis AX in a front view, and is set at the upper end edge 13b1 of the small-diameter shutter portion 13b located at the reference angular position (see FIG. 3 (f)).

  The first intermediate edge E1 is an edge including a horizontal line E1a passing through the optical axis AX in a front view and a curved line E1b continuous to the horizontal line E1a and bulging downward, and is a small-diameter shutter portion rotated by 45 ° from the reference angular position. The upper edge 13b1 of 13b is set (see FIG. 3G).

  The second intermediate edge E2 is an edge including a horizontal line E2a passing through the optical axis AX in a front view, a diagonal line E2b that is continuous with the horizontal line E2a and extends obliquely downward, and a horizontal line E2c that is continuous with the diagonal line E2b. And is set at the upper edge 13b1 of the small-diameter shutter portion 13b rotated by 90 ° from the reference angle position (see FIG. 3 (h)).

  The third intermediate edge E3 has a horizontal line E3a passing through the optical axis AX in a front view, a diagonal line E3b of an inclination angle α2 (α2> α1) extending obliquely downward and continuous to the horizontal line E3a, and a horizontal line continuous to the diagonal line E3b. This edge includes E3c, and is set at the upper edge 13b1 of the small-diameter shutter portion 13b rotated 135 ° from the reference angular position (see FIG. 3 (i)).

  The end point edge EE is a horizontal line passing below the optical axis AX in a front view, and is set to the upper end edge 13b1 of the small diameter shutter portion 13b rotated by 240 ° from the reference angular position (that is, the bottom surface 13c1 of the notch portion 13c) ( (See FIG. 3 (j)).

  The left motor 14 is for rotating the left rotary shutter 13 around the central axis of the left rotary shutter 13, and is, for example, a stepping motor connected to the end of the left rotary shutter 13 (FIG. 3 ( f) etc.).

  Since the left rotation shutter 13 is configured as described above, the top edge shape ES, EE, E1 to E3 in front view changes according to the rotation angle position (FIGS. 3A to 3E). (FIG. 3 (f) to FIG. 3 (j)). For this reason, it is possible to form a light distribution pattern having a cut-off line having a shape corresponding to the rotation angle position (FIG. 3 (f) to FIG. 3 (j)) of the left rotation shutter 13.

  For example, when the left rotation shutter 13 is positioned at the reference angle position (see FIG. 3F), the upper edge shape corresponding to the reference angle position (the upper edge 13a1 of the large diameter shutter portion 13a and the small diameter shutter portion 13b). The light distribution pattern P1 having the cut-off lines CLa and CLb defined by the upper end edge 13b1 (ES)) is formed (see FIG. 4A).

  When the left rotation shutter 13 rotates 45 ° from the reference angle position (see FIG. 3G), the upper edge shape corresponding to the 45 ° position (the upper edge 13a1 of the large diameter shutter portion 13a and the small diameter shutter). Cut-off lines CLc and CLd defined by the upper end edge 13b1 (E1) of the portion 13b are formed (see FIG. 4B).

  When the left rotation shutter 13 is rotated 90 ° from the reference angle position (see FIG. 3H), the upper edge shape corresponding to the 90 ° position (the upper edge 13a1 of the large-diameter shutter portion 13a and the small-diameter shutter). Cut-off lines CLe and CLf defined by the upper end edge 13b1 (E2) of the portion 13b are formed (see FIG. 4C).

  When the left rotation shutter 13 is rotated 135 ° from the reference angular position (see FIG. 3 (i)), the upper edge shape corresponding to the 135 ° position (the upper edge 13a1 of the large-diameter shutter portion 13a and the small-diameter shutter). Cut-off lines CLg and CLh defined by the upper edge 13b1 (E3) of the portion 13b are formed (see FIG. 4D).

  When the left rotation shutter 13 is rotated 240 ° from the reference angular position (see FIG. 3J), the upper edge shape corresponding to the 240 ° position (the upper edge 13a1 of the large diameter shutter portion 13a and the small diameter shutter). Cut-off lines CLi and CLj defined by the upper end edge 13b1 (EE) of the portion 13b are formed (see FIG. 4E).

[Right lamp 20]
The right lamp 20 is for forming a light distribution pattern having a cut-off line defined by the upper edge shape according to the rotational angle position of the right rotary shutter 23. As shown in FIG. It includes a projection lens 21, an irradiation optical system 22 including a light source 22a, a reflector 22b, and the like, a right rotating shutter 23 disposed between the projection lens 21 and the irradiation optical system 22, a right motor 24, and the like.

  The projection lens 21 is a lens through which the irradiation light from the irradiation optical system 22 passes, and is arranged such that the optical axis AX extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. The light source 22a is, for example, a bulb such as an incandescent bulb or a halogen lamp, an HID lamp, or an LED light source. The reflector 22b includes, for example, a spheroid reflection surface in which the first focal point is set in the vicinity of the light source 12a and the second focal point is set in the vicinity of the stepped portion Z of the right rotation shutter 23 located at the reference rotational position. .

  The right rotation shutter 23 has a substantially cylindrical shape for blocking a part of the irradiation light from the irradiation optical system 22 and forming a cut-off line defined by the upper edge shape according to the rotation angle position of the right rotation shutter 23. It is a light shielding member. As shown in FIG. 5 (f) and the like, the right rotation shutter 23 has a large-diameter shutter portion 23a (radius R1, corresponding to the third shutter portion of the present invention), coaxial with the large-diameter shutter portion 23a, and the large-diameter shutter. It includes a small-diameter shutter portion 23b (radius R2, R1> R2, which corresponds to the fourth shutter portion of the present invention) that is smaller than the portion 23a.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (f), the right rotation shutter 23 has a posture in which the central axis of the right rotation shutter 23 is included in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis AX and extends in the horizontal direction. In addition, the upper stepped portion Z between the large-diameter shutter portion 23 a and the small-diameter shutter portion 23 b is disposed between the projection lens 21 and the irradiation optical system 22 so as to be positioned near the focal point of the projection lens 21. In the case of left-hand traffic, the right rotation shutter 23 is arranged so that the large-diameter shutter portion 23a is located on the left side in front view with respect to the optical axis AX, and the small-diameter shutter portion 23b is located on the right side in front view with respect to the optical axis AX. (See FIG. 5 (f)). On the other hand, in the case of right-hand traffic, the right shutter 23 is positioned so that the large-diameter shutter portion 23a is located on the right side of the optical axis AX when viewed from the front and the small-diameter shutter portion 23b is located on the left side of the optical axis AX when viewed from the front. Deploy.

  The right rotation shutter 23 is formed by a plane that is orthogonal to the end 23a2 (center axis) of the large-diameter shutter portion 23a, a plane that is orthogonal to the end 23b2 (center axis) of the small-diameter shutter portion 23b, and a plane that includes the optical axis AX. It is formed in a notched shape (hereinafter referred to as a notch portion 23c). Hereinafter, the angle position (see FIG. 5C) rotated clockwise by 240 ° from the angle position (see FIGS. 5 (e) and 5 (j)) where the bottom surface 23c1 of the notch 23c appears at the upper edge of the right rotation shutter 23 in front view. 5 (a) and FIG. 5 (f)) is defined as a reference angular position.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (f) to FIG. 5 (j), the small-diameter shutter portion 23b has a plurality of predetermined rotation angle positions (in this embodiment, 0 °, 240 °, 45 °, 90 °, 135 °). ) Corresponding upper edge shapes (starting edge ES, ending edge EE, a plurality of intermediate edges E1 to E3 between starting edge ES and ending edge EE) and a plurality of upper edge shapes ES, EE, E1 to E3 The twisted surface N (refer FIG. 2) formed by connecting these using predetermined software, such as CAD, is included.

  The starting edge ES is a horizontal line passing above the optical axis AX in a front view, and is set at the upper end edge 23a1 of the large-diameter shutter portion 23a located at the reference angle position (see FIG. 5F).

  The first intermediate edge E1 is an edge including a horizontal line E1a passing above the optical axis AX in a front view and a curved line E1b continuous to the horizontal line E1a and bulging downward, and is a large angle rotated by 45 ° from the reference angle position. The upper edge 23a1 of the diameter shutter portion 23a is set (see FIG. 5G).

  The second intermediate edge E2 includes a horizontal line E2a that passes above the optical axis AX in a front view, a diagonal line E2b that is continuous with the horizontal line E2a and extends obliquely downward, and a horizontal line E2c that is continuous with the diagonal line E2b. This edge is included in the upper edge 23a1 of the large-diameter shutter portion 23a rotated by 90 ° from the reference angular position (see FIG. 5H).

  The third intermediate edge E3 is continuous with the horizontal line E3a passing above the optical axis AX in the front view, the oblique line E3b with an inclination angle α2 (α2> α1) extending obliquely downward, and the oblique line E3b. And is set to the upper edge 23a1 of the large-diameter shutter portion 23a rotated 135 ° from the reference angular position (see FIG. 5 (i)).

  The end point edge EE is a horizontal line passing below the optical axis AX in a front view, and is set to the upper end edge 23a1 of the large-diameter shutter portion 23a rotated by 240 ° from the reference angular position (that is, the bottom surface 23c1 of the notch portion 23c). (See FIG. 5 (j)).

  The right motor 14 is for rotating the right rotating shutter 23 around the central axis of the right rotating shutter 23, and is, for example, a stepping motor connected to the end of the right rotating shutter 23 (FIG. 5 ( f) etc.).

  Since the right rotation shutter 23 is configured as described above, the top edge shape ES, EE, E1 to E3 in the front view changes according to the rotation angle position (FIGS. 5A to 5E). (FIG. 5 (f) to FIG. 5 (j)). For this reason, it is possible to form a light distribution pattern having a cut-off line having a shape corresponding to the rotation angle position (FIGS. 5 (f) to 5 (j)) of the right rotation shutter 23.

  For example, when the right rotation shutter 23 is located at the reference angular position (see FIG. 5F), the upper edge shape (the upper edge 23a1 (ES) and the small diameter of the large-diameter shutter portion 23a) corresponding to the reference angular position. A light distribution pattern P6 having cut-off lines CLa and CLb defined by the upper end edge 23b1) of the shutter portion 23b is formed (see FIG. 6A).

  Further, when the right rotation shutter 23 rotates 45 ° from the reference angular position (see FIG. 5G), the upper edge shape corresponding to the 45 ° position (the upper edge 23a1 (E1) of the large-diameter shutter portion 23a). Cut-off lines CLc and CLd defined by the upper edge 23b1) of the small-diameter shutter portion 23b are formed (see FIG. 6B).

  Further, when the right rotation shutter 23 is rotated 90 ° from the reference angular position (see FIG. 5H), the upper edge shape corresponding to the 90 ° position (the upper edge 23a1 (E2) of the large-diameter shutter portion 23a). Cut-off lines CLe and CLf defined by the upper edge 23b1) of the small-diameter shutter portion 23b are formed (see FIG. 6C).

  When the right rotation shutter 23 is rotated 135 ° from the reference angular position (see FIG. 5 (i)), the upper edge shape corresponding to the 135 ° position (the upper edge 23a1 (E3) of the large-diameter shutter portion 23a). And cut-off lines CLg and CLh defined by the upper edge 23b1) of the small-diameter shutter portion 23b (see FIG. 6D).

  When the right rotation shutter 23 is rotated 240 ° from the reference angular position (see FIG. 5J), the upper edge shape corresponding to the 240 ° position (the upper edge 23a1 (EE) of the large-diameter shutter portion 23a). Cut-off lines CLi and CLj defined by the upper edge 23b1) of the small-diameter shutter portion 23b are formed (see FIG. 6E).

[Sensor 30]
The sensor 30 is a sensor for detecting information relating to vehicles existing in the irradiation directions of the left lamp 10 and the right lamp 20 (for example, the preceding vehicle, the type of the oncoming vehicle, the position, and the distance), for example, As shown in FIG. 1, an on-vehicle imaging device (camera), a millimeter wave radar, or the like.

[Detection ECU 40]
The detection ECU 40 includes calculation / control means such as an MPU and CPU, storage means such as RAM and ROM (all not shown), and the calculation / control means executes a predetermined program read into the storage means. Thus, as will be described later, it functions as a calculation means for calculating the type, position, and distance of the preceding vehicle and the oncoming vehicle.

[Rotary shutter control ECU 50]
The rotary shutter control ECU 50 includes calculation / control means such as an MPU and CPU, storage means such as RAM and ROM (none of which are shown), and stores a predetermined program read by the calculation / control means in the storage means. By executing the control means, the target rotation angles of the left rotation shutter 13 and the right rotation shutter 23 are calculated as will be described later, and the left motor 13 and the right motor 23 are controlled so as to rotate the calculated target rotation angle. And so on.

  Next, the operation of the vehicle light distribution control system configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  The following processing is realized mainly by the detection ECU 40 and the rotary shutter control ECU 50 executing a predetermined program read into the storage unit.

  First, the detection ECU 40 reads detection data from the sensor 30 (step S10), and calculates the type, position, and distance of the preceding vehicle and the oncoming vehicle based on the detection data (step S12). Next, the rotary shutter control ECU 50 determines the target rotation angles (the left lamp 10 and the right lamp 20) of the left rotary shutter 13 and the right rotary shutter 23 based on the calculated preceding vehicle type, oncoming vehicle type, position, and distance. Calculates a target rotation angle that does not irradiate the preceding vehicle and the oncoming vehicle (step S14).

  Next, the rotary shutter control ECU 50 controls the left motor 14 and the right motor 24 so that each of the left rotary shutter 13 and the right rotary shutter 23 rotates the calculated target rotation angle (step S16). That is, the rotary shutter control ECU 50 outputs a drive signal to the left motor 14 and the right motor 24 so that the left rotary shutter 13 and the right rotary shutter 23 rotate at the calculated target rotation angle. When the left motor 14 (or right motor 14) receives the drive signal from the rotary shutter control ECU 50, the left motor shutter 13 (or the right rotary shutter 23) rotates the target rotation angle calculated in step S14 according to the drive signal. Let Thereby, each shutter 13 and 23 becomes the minimum shape which does not give the dazzling light with respect to a preceding vehicle and an oncoming vehicle.

  For example, when a preceding vehicle is detected, as shown in FIG. 11, the rotating shutter (at least one of the left rotating shutter 13 and the right rotating shutter 23) is immediately switched from FIG. 3 (e) to FIG. 3 (d). Then, it is controlled so as to change continuously from FIG. 3D to FIG. 3A according to the distance from the preceding vehicle.

  Further, for example, when an oncoming vehicle is detected, as shown in FIG. 12, the rotary shutter (at least one of the left side rotary shutter 13 and the right side rotary shutter 23) is immediately changed from FIG. 5 (e) to FIG. ) And then controlled so as to continuously change from FIG. 5 (d) to FIG. 5 (a) depending on the distance from the preceding vehicle.

  Hereinafter, a more specific description will be given with reference to FIG.

  For example, when there is no preceding vehicle or oncoming vehicle (see FIG. 8A), the rotary shutter control ECU 50 causes the shutters 13 and 23 of the left lamp 10 and the right lamp 20 to rotate 240 ° from the reference angular position. As described above, drive signals are output to the left motor 14 and the right motor 14.

  When the left rotation shutter 13 is rotated 240 ° from the reference angular position (see FIG. 3J), the upper edge shape of the left rotation shutter 13 is the upper edge shape corresponding to the 240 ° position (FIG. 3J). Thus, cut-off lines CLi, CLj defined by the upper edge shape corresponding to the 240 ° position are formed (see FIG. 4E). When the right rotation shutter 23 is rotated by 240 ° from the reference angular position (see FIG. 5J), the upper edge shape of the right rotation shutter 23 is the upper edge shape corresponding to the 240 ° position (FIG. 5). (See (j)), and the cut-off lines CLi and CLj defined by the upper edge shape corresponding to the 240 ° position are formed (see FIG. 6E). In this case, a light distribution pattern for a traveling beam as shown in FIG. 8A is formed on the road.

  Further, for example, when there is a preceding vehicle and an oncoming vehicle (about 800 m ahead of the host vehicle) (see FIG. 8B), the rotary shutter control ECU 50 sets the shutter 13 of the left lamp 10 and the right lamp 20 respectively. A drive signal is output to the left motor 14 and the right motor 14 so that 23 rotates 135 ° from the reference angular position.

  When the left rotating shutter 13 is rotated 135 ° from the reference angular position (see FIG. 3 (i)), the upper edge shape of the left rotating shutter 13 is the upper edge shape corresponding to the 135 ° position (FIG. 3 (i)). Thus, cut-off lines Lg and CLh defined by the upper edge shape corresponding to the 135 ° position are formed (see FIG. 4D). When the right rotation shutter 23 is rotated 135 ° from the reference angular position (see FIG. 5 (i)), the upper edge shape of the right rotation shutter 23 is the upper edge shape corresponding to the 135 ° position (FIG. 5). (See (i)), and the cut-off lines CLg and CLh defined by the upper edge shape corresponding to the 135 ° position are formed (see FIG. 6D). In this case, a light distribution pattern reaching the front of the preceding vehicle and the oncoming vehicle as shown in FIG. 8B is formed on the road.

  Further, for example, when there is no preceding vehicle and there is an oncoming vehicle (at a long distance) (see FIG. 8C), the rotary shutter control ECU 50 determines that the left rotary shutter 13 of the left lamp 10 is at the reference angular position. And a drive signal is output to the left motor 14 and the right motor 14 so that the right rotation shutter 23 of the right lamp 20 rotates 90 ° from the reference position.

  When the left rotating shutter 13 is rotated 135 ° from the reference angular position (see FIG. 3 (i)), the upper edge shape of the left rotating shutter 13 is the upper edge shape corresponding to the 135 ° position (FIG. 3 (i)). Thus, cut-off lines CLg and CLh defined by the upper edge shape corresponding to the 135 ° position are formed (see FIG. 4D). When the right rotation shutter 23 is rotated 90 ° from the reference angular position (see FIG. 5H), the upper edge shape of the right rotation shutter 23 is the upper edge shape corresponding to the 90 ° position (see FIG. 5 (h)), and the cut-off lines CLe and CLf defined by the upper edge shape corresponding to the 90 ° position are formed (see FIG. 6C). In this case, a light distribution pattern is formed on the road so as to avoid the oncoming vehicle as shown in FIG.

  Further, for example, when there is no preceding vehicle and there is an oncoming vehicle (at an intermediate distance) (see FIG. 8D), the rotary shutter control ECU 50 determines that the left rotary shutter 13 of the left lamp 10 is 135 from the reference angular position. The drive signal is output to the left motor 14 and the right motor 14 so that the right rotation shutter 23 of the right lamp 20 rotates 45 ° from the reference position.

  When the left rotating shutter 13 is rotated 135 ° from the reference angular position (see FIG. 3 (i)), the upper edge shape of the left rotating shutter 13 is the upper edge shape corresponding to the 135 ° position (FIG. 3 (i)). Thus, cut-off lines CLg and CLh defined by the upper edge shape corresponding to the 135 ° position are formed (see FIG. 4D). When the right rotation shutter 23 is rotated 45 ° from the reference angular position (see FIG. 5G), the upper edge shape of the right rotation shutter 23 is the upper edge shape corresponding to the 45 ° position (FIG. 5). (See (g)), and cut-off lines CLc and CLd defined by the upper edge shape corresponding to the 45 ° position are formed (see FIG. 6B). In this case, a light distribution pattern extending on both sides of the road avoiding the oncoming vehicle as shown in FIG. 8D is formed on the road.

  Further, for example, when there is no oncoming vehicle and there is a preceding vehicle (at an intermediate distance) (see FIG. 8E), the rotary shutter control ECU 50 determines that the left rotary shutter 13 of the left lamp 10 is at the reference angular position. The drive signal is output to the left motor 14 and the right motor 14 so that the right rotation shutter 23 of the right lamp 20 rotates 135 ° from the reference position.

  When the left rotation shutter 13 is rotated 45 ° from the reference angular position (see FIG. 3G), the upper edge shape of the left rotation shutter 13 is the upper edge shape corresponding to the 45 ° position (FIG. 3G). Thus, cut-off lines CLc and CLd defined by the shape of the upper edge according to the 45 ° position are formed (see FIG. 4B). When the right rotation shutter 23 is rotated 135 ° from the reference angular position (see FIG. 5 (i)), the upper edge shape of the right rotation shutter 23 is the upper edge shape corresponding to the 135 ° position (FIG. 5). (See (i)), and the cut-off lines CLg and CLh defined by the upper edge shape corresponding to the 135 ° position are formed (see FIG. 6D). In this case, a light distribution pattern is formed on the road so as to avoid the preceding vehicle as shown in FIG.

  Further, for example, when there is a preceding vehicle and an oncoming vehicle (at a middle distance) (see FIG. 8F), the rotary shutter control ECU 50 determines that the shutters 13 and 23 of the left lamp 10 and the right lamp 20 are at the reference angle. A drive signal is output to the left motor 14 and the right motor 14 so as to rotate 45 ° from the position.

  When the left rotation shutter 13 is rotated 45 ° from the reference angular position (see FIG. 3G), the upper edge shape of the left rotation shutter 13 is the upper edge shape corresponding to the 45 ° position (FIG. 3G Thus, cut-off lines CLc and CLd defined by the upper edge shape corresponding to the 45 ° position are formed (see FIG. 4B). When the right rotation shutter 23 is rotated 45 ° from the reference angular position (see FIG. 5G), the upper edge shape of the right rotation shutter 23 is the upper edge shape corresponding to the 45 ° position (FIG. 5). (See (g)), and cut-off lines CLc and CLd defined by the upper edge shape corresponding to the 45 ° position are formed (see FIG. 6B). In this case, a light distribution pattern is formed on the road so as to avoid the preceding vehicle and the oncoming vehicle as shown in FIG.

  Further, for example, when there is a preceding vehicle and an oncoming vehicle (at a short distance) (see FIG. 8G), the rotary shutter control ECU 50 does not output a drive signal to the left motor 14 and the right motor 24. For this reason, the shutters 13 and 23 of the left lamp 10 and the right lamp 20 remain at the reference angle position.

  When the left rotation shutter 13 is positioned at the reference angle position (see FIG. 3F), the upper edge shape of the left rotation shutter 13 is the upper edge shape according to the reference angle position (see FIG. 3F). Thus, a light distribution pattern P1 having cut-off lines CLa and CLb defined by the shape of the upper edge according to the reference angle position is formed (see FIG. 4A). When the right rotation shutter 23 is positioned at the reference angle position (see FIG. 5F), the upper edge shape of the right rotation shutter 23 is the upper edge shape corresponding to the reference angle position (FIG. 5G). Thus, a light distribution pattern P6 having cut-off lines CLa and CLb defined by the shape of the upper edge according to the reference angular position is formed (see FIG. 6A). In this case, a light distribution pattern for a passing beam as shown in FIG. 8G is formed on the road.

  As described above, according to the vehicle light distribution control system 100 of the present embodiment, each of the left rotation shutter 13 and the right rotation shutter 23 has a plurality of rotation angle positions (0 °, 240 °, 45 in this embodiment). Since the upper end edge shapes ES, EE, and E1 to E3 corresponding to each of (°, 90 °, and 135 °) are provided, the upper end edge shape according to the rotation angle position is obtained (that is, the upper end edge shape according to the rotation angle position). Changes). For this reason, according to the vehicle light distribution control system 100 of the present embodiment, the left lamp 10 and the right lamp 20 are rotated at the rotational angle positions of the left shutter 13 and the right shutter 23 (in this embodiment, 0 °, 240 °, It becomes possible to form a cut-off line defined by upper end edge shapes ES, EE, E1 to E3 according to 45 °, 90 °, and 135 ° (that is, the shape of the cut-off line changes according to the rotation angle position). 4 (a) to 4 (e) and FIGS. 6 (a) to 6 (e)).

  Furthermore, according to the vehicle light distribution control system 100 of the present embodiment, the left rotation shutter 13 and the right rotation shutter 23 are controlled to rotate independently from each other according to the position and distance of the preceding vehicle and the oncoming vehicle. It is possible to form a light distribution pattern that avoids the preceding vehicle and the oncoming vehicle (see FIGS. 8A to 8G). Thereby, it becomes possible to prevent or reduce the dazzling light with respect to the preceding vehicle and the oncoming vehicle as compared with the conventional vehicle.

  Moreover, according to the vehicle light distribution control system 100 of the present embodiment, the left rotation shutter 13 and the right rotation shutter 23 are each formed by connecting a plurality of upper end edge shapes ES, EE, E1 to E3. Since the surface N (see FIG. 2) is included, when the left rotation shutter 13 and the right rotation shutter 23 rotate from the reference angle position to another rotation angle position (for example, 240 °), the top edge shape is continuously smooth. The shape will change. Thereby, it is possible to smoothly change the shape of the cutoff line defined by the shape of the upper edge not in a digital manner (discontinuously) but in an analog manner (continuously).

  Next, modified examples of the left lamp 10 and the right lamp 20 will be described.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the left shutter 13 is configured by the large-diameter shutter portion 13a and the small-diameter shutter portion 13b and the upper stepped portion Z is formed between the large-diameter shutter portion 13a and the small-diameter shutter portion 13b will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the left rotation shutter 13 is configured by the same-diameter shutter portion 13a and the same-diameter shutter portion 13b that is coaxial and the same diameter as the same-diameter shutter portion 13a, and the outer periphery of the same-diameter shutter portion 13a. The upper stepped portion Z may be formed by providing a rib 13d extending from the one end 13a2 to the other end (for example, near the optical axis AX) along the central axis on the surface.

  Similarly, in the above-described embodiment, the large-diameter shutter portion 23a and the small-diameter shutter portion 23b constitute the right rotation shutter 23, and the upper step portion Z is formed between the large-diameter shutter portion 23a and the small-diameter shutter portion 23b. Although an example has been described, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the right-side rotating shutter 23 is constituted by the same-diameter shutter portion 23a and the same-diameter shutter portion 23b that is coaxial and the same diameter as the same-diameter shutter portion 23a, and the outer periphery of the same-diameter shutter portion 23a. The upper stepped portion Z may be formed by providing a rib 23d extending from the one end 23a2 to the other end (for example, near the optical axis AX) along the central axis on the surface.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the example whose intermediate edge between the starting edge ES and the end edge EE is the three edges E1-E3, this invention is not limited to this. For example, the intermediate edge between the start edge ES and the end edge EE may be 1, 2 or 4 or more edges.

  The above embodiment is merely an example in all respects. The present invention is not construed as being limited to these descriptions. The present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Vehicle light distribution control system, 10 ... Left lamp, 20 ... Right lamp, 30 ... Sensor, 40 ... Detection ECU, 50 ... Rotary shutter control ECU

Claims (3)

A cut that is defined by an upper edge shape corresponding to a rotation angle position of the left rotation shutter, and includes a substantially cylindrical left rotation shutter and a left motor that rotates the left rotation shutter around a central axis of the left rotation shutter. A left lamp that forms a light distribution pattern having an off-line;
A cut that is defined by an upper edge shape corresponding to a rotation angle position of the right rotation shutter, the right rotation shutter having a substantially cylindrical shape, and a right motor that rotates the right rotation shutter around the central axis of the right rotation shutter. A right lamp that forms a light distribution pattern with offline;
A sensor for detecting information on the vehicle existing in the irradiation direction of each of the left lamp and the right lamp;
Calculation means for calculating the preceding vehicle, the position of the oncoming vehicle, and the distance based on the detection data from the sensor;
Based on the calculated preceding vehicle, the position and distance of the oncoming vehicle, the target rotation angle of each of the left rotation shutter and the right rotation shutter is calculated, and the left motor and the right motor so as to rotate the calculated target rotation angle. Control means for controlling
With
The left rotation shutter includes a first shutter part and a second shutter part coaxial with the first shutter part and having a smaller diameter than the first shutter part,
The right rotation shutter includes a third shutter portion and a fourth shutter portion that is coaxial with the third shutter portion and smaller in diameter than the third shutter portion,
Each of the second shutter portion and the third shutter portion includes an upper edge shape corresponding to each of a plurality of predetermined rotation angle positions and a twisted surface formed by connecting the plurality of upper edge shapes. A light distribution control system for a vehicle headlamp. A cut that is defined by an upper edge shape corresponding to a rotation angle position of the left rotation shutter, and includes a substantially cylindrical left rotation shutter and a left motor that rotates the left rotation shutter around a central axis of the left rotation shutter. A left lamp that forms a light distribution pattern having an off-line;
A cut that is defined by an upper edge shape corresponding to a rotation angle position of the right rotation shutter, and includes a substantially cylindrical right rotation shutter and a right motor that rotates the right rotation shutter around the central axis of the right rotation shutter. A right lamp that forms a light distribution pattern with offline;
A sensor for detecting information on the vehicle existing in the irradiation direction of each of the left lamp and the right lamp;
Calculation means for calculating the preceding vehicle, the position of the oncoming vehicle, and the distance based on the detection data from the sensor;
Based on the calculated preceding vehicle, the position and distance of the oncoming vehicle, the target rotation angle of each of the left rotation shutter and the right rotation shutter is calculated, and the left motor and the right motor so as to rotate the calculated target rotation angle. Control means for controlling
With
The left rotation shutter includes a first shutter part and a second shutter part coaxial with the first shutter part and having the same diameter as the first shutter part.
The right rotation shutter includes a third shutter portion and a fourth shutter portion that is coaxial with the third shutter portion and has the same diameter as the third shutter portion,
Each of the second shutter portion and the third shutter portion has a rib extending from one end portion to the other end portion along the central axis on the outer peripheral surface, an upper edge shape corresponding to each of a plurality of predetermined rotation angle positions, and A vehicle headlamp light distribution control system comprising: a twisted surface formed by connecting a plurality of upper end edge shapes. A substantially cylindrical rotary shutter including a top edge shape corresponding to each of a plurality of predetermined rotation angle positions and a twisted surface formed by connecting the plurality of top edge shapes;
A motor that rotates the rotary shutter around a central axis of the rotary shutter;
A vehicle headlamp comprising: an irradiation optical system for forming a light distribution pattern having a cutoff line defined by an upper edge shape corresponding to a rotation angle position of the rotary shutter.

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